Identifiying one or more cargo devices for communication

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and medium are provided for connecting wireless devices to a wireless network. The system includes at least one base station and wireless devices that are part of a wireless network. The base station is configured with a database that stores metrics for each wireless device. The base station may identify one or more wireless devices that are suitable to communicate data for each of wireless devices based on the stored metrics. The identified suitable wireless devices proxy communications for other wireless devices over the wireless network. The wireless devices are part of a package delivery truck.

PRIORITY

This is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,160,629, U.S. Ser. No.14/450,447 filed 4 Aug. 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No.8,848,558 issued 30 Sep. 2014, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/353,003,filed 18 Jan. 2012, entitled Mesh Wireless Connectivity, which arehereby incorporated in their entirety.

SUMMARY

A high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention areprovided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosureand to introduce a selection of concepts that are further describedbelow in the detailed-description section below. This summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation todetermine the scope of the claimed subject matter. In brief and at ahigh level, this disclosure describes, among other things, ways toprovide mesh devices having a machine-to-machine component (M2M) that isprogrammed to elect a mesh device as the transmitter.

The M2M component prohibits a mesh device from transmitting unless themesh device is elected as the transmitter. Any data that needs to besent to servers or devices on the wireless network is proxied by way ofthe mesh device that is elected as the transmitter. The other meshdevices connect to each other and the transmitter over near-fieldchannels to create a mesh network. The data from the other mesh devicesare communicated to the transmitter over the mesh network. In turn, thetransmitter connects to the wireless network and delivers the datareceived over the mesh network from the other mesh devices. At least oneof the mesh devices is selected as the transmitter based on metrics likelocation, signal strength, temperature, interference, etc. Periodically,the mesh devices revaluate the selected transmitter to determine ifanother mesh device in the mesh network is more suitable. In certainembodiments, the M2M component may be installed on mesh devices, cargo,trucks, network components, communication nodes, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail belowwith reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary mesh device in accordancewith embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a network diagram of an exemplary communication system inaccordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary logic diagram for connecting mesh devicesexecuted by the M2M components in accordance with embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary logic diagram for connecting meshdevices executed by the M2M components in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary network diagram for connecting trucks in amesh network in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the patent is described with specificity herein tomeet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is notintended to define the invention, which is what the claims do. Rather,the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to includedifferent steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones describedin this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Moreover, although the term “step” or other generic termmight be used herein to connote different components or methodsemployed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particularorder among or between various steps herein disclosed, unless and exceptwhen the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to mesh devices configuredwith M2M components. The mesh devices may include wireless devices, homeappliances, washers, dryers, consumer electronics, vending machines,vehicle or shipment tracking devices, digital books, image and videorecorders, etc. The M2M component may include communication interfaces,storage, and processors for executing instructions. The M2M componentprovides the mesh devices with access to several communication networks,including a mesh network and wireless network. Based on the metricmeasured by the M2M components, the mesh device may be elected as atransmitter by other mesh devices in the mesh network. Accordingly,metrics like location, temperature, power, orientation, signal strength,and interference associated with the mesh device, may be tracked todetermine which of the mesh devices is suitable to operate as thetransmitter at any given moment.

For instance, an M2M component in a vehicle may be connected to a firstwireless network. Before the M2M component begins a communication streamover the wireless device, the M2M component may determine whether thevehicle is a suitable transmitter based on the metrics monitored by theM2M component of the vehicle. When the M2M component determines thatanother mesh device in the mesh network of the vehicle is suitable andthe vehicle is unsuitable, the M2M component of the vehicle transmitsthe communication stream over the mesh network to the other mesh device.Operating as a proxy, the other mesh device transmits the communicationstream received from the vehicle over the wireless network.

In one embodiment, the suitable mesh device operates as both thetransmitter and receiver. The communications from the mesh network arecommunicated via the suitable mesh device. The communications to meshdevices on the mesh network from the wireless network are received bythe suitable mesh device. In certain embodiments, the transmitter andreceiver may be different mesh devices that are part of the meshnetwork.

Throughout this patent, several acronyms and shorthand notations areused to aid the understanding of certain concepts pertaining to theassociated system and services. These acronyms and shorthand notationsare solely intended for the purpose of providing an easy methodology ofcommunicating the ideas expressed herein and are in no way meant tolimit the scope of the embodiments of the invention. The following is alist of these acronyms:

-   -   ATM Automated Teller Machine    -   BTS Base Transceiver Station    -   CDMA Code Division Multiple Access    -   CD-ROM Compact Disc, Read Only Memory    -   DVD™ Digital Versatile Disc    -   EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory    -   GPRS General Packet Radio Service    -   GSM™ Global System for Mobile communications (Groupe Special        Mobile)    -   IP Internet Protocol    -   IPv4 Internet Protocol Version Four    -   IPv6 Internet Protocol Version Six    -   LED Light Emitting Diode    -   LTE™ Long Term Evolution    -   M2M Machine-to-Machine    -   PDA Personal Data Assistant    -   RAM Random Access Memory    -   ROM Read Only Memory    -   RNC Radio Network Controller    -   TDMA Time Division Multiple Access    -   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System    -   USB™ Universal Serial Bus    -   Wi-Fi™ Wireless Fidelity    -   WiMAX™ Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

Embodiments of the invention can take the form of a method, sever,network device, system, or computer-readable media embodied with aspecific set of computer-executable instructions. Computer-readablemedia include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable andnonremovable media, and contemplate media readable by a database, aswitch, and various other network and computing devices.Computer-readable media include communication media and computer storagemedia implemented in any method or technology that stores information.Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions,data structures, program components, and other data representations.Examples of computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs(DVD™), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magneticstorage devices. The computer-readable media can store data momentarily,temporarily, or permanently.

In one embodiment, the mesh device is configured with several input andoutput components. Additionally, an M2M component may be installed inthe mesh device. The M2M component may include applications forcommunicating with different networks. The M2M component may utilize theinput and output component of the mesh device to implement operationsrequested by the applications of the M2M component. The M2M componentmay allow the mesh device to switch between communication networksmaintained by disparate carriers. The mesh device having the M2Mcomponent is also configured to dynamically elect at least onetransmitter and receiver based on the metrics monitored for each meshdevice in a mesh network. Thus, the mesh devices may periodically changethe transmitter or receiver for each device in the mesh network.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary mesh device in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. Turning now to FIG. 1, a blockdiagram of an illustrative mesh device is provided and referencedgenerally by numeral 100. Although some components are shown in thesingular, they may be plural. For example, mesh device 100 might includemultiple processors or multiple radios, etc. A mesh device 100 may beone of many devices, including, but not limited to, a wireless phone,vending machine, video and image capture device, a laptop, a PDA, ahandheld device, smart meters, vehicle tracking components, e-books,ATMs, consumer electronics, etc. As illustratively shown, mesh device100 includes a bus 110 that directly or indirectly couples variouscomponents together including memory 112, a processor 114, apresentation component 116, a radio 117, input/output ports 118,input/output components 120, and a power supply 122.

We previously have described various memory components that memory 112might take the form of. Memory component 112 can include any type ofmedium that is capable of storing information (e.g., a database 112A).The database 112A may be configured to store provisioning credentials,including a network identifier; metrics associated with each mesh device100 in a mesh network; and any information that the mesh devicetransmits to the wireless network. The database 112A may also storeapplications associated with an M2M component installed on the meshdevice 100. Processor 114 might actually be multiple processors thatreceive instructions associated with the applications and process theinstructions accordingly. Presentation component 116 includes the likesof a display, a speaker, as well as other components that can presentinformation (such as a lamp (LED), or even lighted keyboards).

The M2M component utilizes the communication interfaces of mesh device100 to receive data from network resources on the communication network.In an embodiment, an application on the M2M component monitors variousmetrics, including, but not limited to, location, time of day, day ofweek, bandwidth, data transmission speeds, mesh device velocity, meshantenna orientation, interference, signal strength, battery power, etc.The metrics for each device in the mesh network may be collected andstored in the database 112A by the M2M component. Once the metrics arecollected from each mesh device 100 in the mesh network, the M2Mcomponent may identify at least one of the mesh devices 100 as atransmitter or receiver for all mesh devices 100 in the mesh network. Inturn, the mesh device 100 checks whether it is identified as thetransmitter or receiver. If it's identified as the transmitter orreceiver, the mesh device 100 retains the network identifier that italready had for connecting to the wireless network. If the mesh device100 does not have the network identifier, the mesh device 100 obtainsthe network identifier from the other mesh device that previouslyoperated as the transmitter or receiver for the mesh network.

In another embodiment, the M2M component receives a notification from aremote server on a wireless communication network that the mesh devicemay connect to. The remote server utilizes metrics obtained from eachmesh device to identify a suitable device. The notification includes anidentifier for the mesh device that should be the transmitter orreceiver for the mesh network. The notification may be broadcasted toeach of the devices in the mesh network.

In some embodiments, the network resources on the wireless communicationnetwork may be the remote server, a database, or multimedia contentavailable at different websites. The communication interface of the meshdevice 100 may be a radio 117 that facilitates communication with awireless telecommunications network. Illustrative wirelesstelecommunications technologies include CDMA, GPRS, TDMA, GSM™, WIMAX™,LTE™, UMTS, and the like. In some embodiments, radio 117 might alsofacilitate other types of wireless communications including Wi-Fi™communications; Bluetooth™, Zigbee™, or other near-field communication.

Input/output port 118 might take on a variety of forms. Illustrativeinput/output ports include a USB jack, stereo jack, infrared port,proprietary communications ports, and the like. Input/output components120 include items such as keyboards, microphones, touch screens, and anyother item usable to directly or indirectly input data into mesh device100. Power supply 122 includes items such as batteries, fuel cells, orany other component that can act as a power source to power mesh device100.

Accordingly, a mesh device 100 may operate on at least two networksbased on the metrics associated with each mesh device in the meshnetwork. The mesh device 100 may operate as a proxy for other meshdevices based on metrics associated with each mesh device. Operating asa proxy, the mesh device 100 may receive data from a wireless networkthat is destined for other mesh devices in the mesh network and transmitdata from the other mesh devices to the wireless network. It will beunderstood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe network device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example of onesuitable mesh device 100 and is not intended to suggest any limitationas to the scope of use or functionality of the embodiments of theinvention. Neither should the mesh device 100 be interpreted as havingany dependency or requirement related to any single component orcombination of components illustrated therein. The single unitdepictions are meant for clarity, not to limit the scope of embodimentsin any form.

Mesh networks may be used to leverage efficiencies, such as least costrouting that conserve data usage, by identifying one or more meshdevices that operate as the backhaul to a wireless network rather thanall wireless modules of the mesh devices sending data to a wirelessnetwork. Users of the wireless network having multiple devices do notwant to have a dedicated plan for each mesh device. For instance, a userwith 100 mesh devices in a warehouse may prefer to have one or twoservice plans for all 100 mesh devices. Thus, the M2M modules of themesh devices that implement embodiments of the invention enhance auser's experience while simultaneously reducing a service provider'snetwork costs by eliminating unnecessary network traffic to simplymaintain session persistence for all 100 mesh devices.

FIG. 2 depicts a network diagram of an exemplary communication system200 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Turning now to FIG.2, an illustrative computing system 200 is provided and referencedgenerally by the numeral 200, which depicts an illustrative operatingenvironment for identifying at least one mesh device 210 that operatesas the suitable transmitter or receiver for the network 230. Thecomputing system 200 may include a mesh device 210, access components216, RNC 218, BSC 220, network 230, multimedia content 240, and metricdatabase 250.

Mesh device 210 executes an M2M application 212 that automaticallydetermines whether the mesh device 210 is the most suitable device totransmit data to, or receive data from, the network 230. In oneembodiment, the M2M application 212 monitors the metrics to determinewhich mesh device 210 in a mesh network is a suitable transmitter orreceiver. In turn, the M2M application 212 may utilize networkcredentials from storage on the mesh device 210 when the mesh device 210is identified as the most appropriate transmitter or receiver for eachdevice in the mesh network. The M2M application 212 may, in otherembodiments, utilize network credentials received over the mesh networkfrom another mesh device 210 that previously operated as the transmitteror receiver for the mesh network.

Mesh devices 210 communicate among themselves over a near-field channelto exchange metrics and circulate network identifier information. In oneembodiment, the mesh device 210 that is identified as the transmitter orreceiver is the only device that may utilize the network identifierinformation. The mesh device may include a database 250 that storesmetrics monitored by the mesh device 210. The metrics may include bothdevice metrics and network metrics. The device metrics includetemperature, battery power, antennae orientation, location, memoryusage, etc. The network metrics include signal strength, interference,bandwidth, etc. Based on a combination of the device and networkmetrics, a mesh device 210 is identified as a suitable transmitter orreceiver.

Mesh device 210 communicates with an access component 216 by way ofcommunication links 214. Communication link 214 may be a short-rangeconnection, a long-range connection, or a combination of both ashort-range and a long-range wireless telecommunications connection.When we refer to “short” and “long” types of connections, we do not meanto refer to the spatial relation between two devices. Instead, we aregenerally referring to short range and long range as differentcategories, or types, of connections (i.e., a primary connection and asecondary connection). A short-range connection may include a Wi-Ficonnection to a device (e.g., wireless hotspot) that provides access toa wireless communications network, such as a WLAN connection using802.11 protocol. A long-range connection may include a connection usingone or more of CDMA™, GPRS, GSM™, TDMA, and 802.16.

Generally, the access component 216 provides access to what some skilledartisans refer to as a wireless communications network 230. The accesscomponent 216 may be one or more of a base transceiver station (BTS)tower, a Wi-Fi Router, and any other device that facilitatescommunication between mesh device 210 and network 230. In oneembodiment, the access component 216 includes both a Wi-Fi Router and aBTS tower. In another embodiment, access component 216 is a BTS tower. Aradio network controller (RNC) 218 performs various functions, such asmanaging radio channels, power control, load control, admission control,packet scheduling, handover control, macrodiversity, security functions,and mobility management. A base station controller (BSC) 220 is alsoshown in FIG. 2. The BSC 220 acts as the intelligence behind basetransceiver stations (BTS) (not shown), and handles allocation of radiochannels, receives measurements associated with the device metrics andnetwork metrics from mesh devices 210, and controls handovers from oneBTS to another BTS. In one embodiment, the BSC 220 may identify one ormore mesh devices 210 as the suitable transmitter or receiver for themesh network.

The components illustrated in FIG. 2, such as those that may be includedin a wireless communications network 230 include network resources andmultimedia content 240 accessible via the wireless communicationsnetwork 230. The network 230 may be a IP network operating one or bothof IPv4 and IPv6. The multimedia content may include websites, videos,applications, etc., that are accessible by the mesh devices 210.

The illustrated elements of computing system 200 are meant to beexemplary in nature, and the various lower-level details of the elementsare not elaborated on so as to not obscure the embodiments of theinvention. Clearly, some of the elements may be absent in someembodiments of the invention, and additional elements not shown may alsobe part of computing system 200. Attempting to show all of the variouselements of computing system 200 would obscure certain novel aspects,and we will refrain from such elaboration at least for the sake ofbrevity.

The mesh device or a remote server, e.g., BSC, identifies, periodically,the suitable mesh device on the mesh network that may operate as thetransmitter or receiver for each mesh device in the mesh network. Theidentification of the mesh device is based on several factors including,but not limited to: movement, proximity, weather conditions, physicalobstructions, and interfering radio frequencies. Upon identifying thesuitable mesh device, the devices on the mesh network proxycommunications to and from the wireless network by way of the identifiedmesh device.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary logic diagram 300 for connecting meshdevices executed by the M2M components in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention. Turning now to FIG. 3, in step 310 a mesh device in themesh network receives metrics associated with one or more communicationinterfaces on the mesh device. The mesh device may also receive metricsfrom other mesh devices in the mesh network. The metrics may include anycombination of the following: signal strength, interference, location,antennae direction, temperature, and power. In one embodiment, themetrics are stored by each mesh device in the mesh network. The signalstrength may be measured in a number of decibels measured for thewireless signal to the wireless network. The location is current GPS ortriangulation of the mesh device. The antennae direction is an up ordown orientation of the antennae on the mesh device. The interference isa measure of the percent loss of a signal based on weather, othersignals, or any other obstructions. The temperature includes a measureof the mesh device's heat or coolness. Each mesh device in the meshnetwork may have a database that stores at least the above metrics forall mesh devices in the mesh network.

In turn, the mesh device determines, periodically, whether the meshdevice in the mesh network is suitable to temporarily connect to, andtransmit or receive data over, a wireless network based on the metrics,in step 312. In certain embodiments, to determine whether a mesh deviceis suitable, the mesh device may compare the metrics for each deviceagainst all other mesh devices and identify the suitable mesh devicehaving a largest overall score based on the comparison of the metrics.The comparison may include determining whether thresholds for eachmetric are achieved, tallying the number of achieved thresholds, andidentifying the device with the largest count. For instance, thethresholds may include highest signal rating available, e.g., 3 db byall mesh devices; a level of interference less than 30%; locationmeasured in distance from the access component, e.g. less than 20 feet;antennae direction up; temperature between four and nine degreesCelsius; and power of at least 75%. The devices that achieve each ofthese thresholds are identifies as suitable. In some embodiments, amongthe suitable devices the mesh device with the best metrics overall isselected as the transmitter and receiver for the network. That is, thedevice with the largest signal strength, least interference, closestlocation to the access point, correct antennae direction, meantemperature, and largest power.

When the mesh device is identified as suitable, in step 314, the meshdevice accesses the wireless network based on network credentials storedon the mesh device or obtains the credentials from the previoustransmitter or receiver for the mesh network. The mesh device thenoperates as a proxy for the other mesh devices in the mesh network instep 316.

When the mesh device is identified as unsuitable, the mesh deviceforwards data to one or more of the suitable mesh devices over the meshnetwork and allows the one or more suitable mesh devices to proxy thedata to the wireless network, in step 318. Additionally, the mesh devicemay transmit a network identifier from the mesh device to one or moreother mesh devices selected as suitable when the mesh device wasrecently suitable but is no longer the suitable based on the metrics. Insome embodiments, at least one mesh device is selected as the suitablemesh device. The other mesh devices may be identified as unsuitable meshdevices in the database via a flag entry. Thus, the flagged mesh devicesmay be prohibited from transmitting data over the wireless network.

In accordance with several embodiments of the invention, the logicexecuted by each M2M component of the mesh devices within a mesh networkconstantly evaluates the metrics, such as, signal strength, location,orientation, RF interference, temperature, etc. Based on the evaluation,at least one mesh device is selected as the transmitter or receiver forthe mesh network. In some embodiments, the identification logicassociated with the mesh device may execute completely on the meshdevice. In other embodiments, the logic may be executed completely on aremote server. In yet another embodiment, the logic may be executedamong the mesh devices and the remote server.

In certain embodiments, the remote server is a base station executingapplication logic that allows a large group of mesh devices to proxycommunication by way of at least one suitable mesh device. The at leastone suitable mesh device is the only device in the mesh network thattransmits data to, or receives data from, the wireless network. Theremote server may have a database storing each metric for the meshdevices. In some embodiments, the metrics are periodically pushed to theremote server, or pulled from the mesh device, as part of a control ornetwork registration handshake between the mesh devices and remotesever.

FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary logic diagram for connecting wirelessdevices executed by the M2M components in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention. Turning now to FIG. 4, in step 410, the access component,e.g., base station, receives metrics for each mesh device in a meshnetwork. In step 420, the base station identifies at least one suitablemesh device. The remote server, in step 430, receives data for othermesh devices in the mesh network by way of the at least one suitablemesh device. In turn, in step 440, the remote server transmits responsesfrom the wireless network to the other mesh devices by way of the atleast one suitable mesh device. In certain embodiments, the at least onesuitable mesh device is configured to be a receiver for each of the meshdevices in the mesh network and the at least one mesh device receivesdata from the base station over the wireless network for each of themesh devices. In other embodiments, at least one suitable mesh device isconfigured to be a transmitter for the mesh network and the at least onemesh device transmits data from each mesh device over the wirelessnetwork to the base station. Thus, the mesh network may have at leastone transmitter and at least one receiver that are suitable to connectto the wireless network base on the metrics.

In another embodiment, the remote server may periodically determine ifanother mesh device is a more suitable mesh device for operating as aproxy. Thus, different mesh devices may operate as proxy transmitter orreceiver for the mesh devices in the mesh network. The at least onesuitable mesh device identified by the remote server utilizes a networkidentifier to communicate with the wireless network. The networkidentifier may be transmitted among the mesh devices via the meshnetwork. The mesh device that stores the network identifier should bethe device is identified as the suitable mesh device.

Many the embodiments of the invention include several businessapplications, including package delivery. For example, in a truckdelivery environment there may be multiple trucks configured with theM2M component. Each of the trucks is configured with networkcapabilities based on the M2M component installed in the truck. The M2Mcomponents would know how many trucks are part of their mesh network andare configured to communicate with each other using the mesh network todetermine which truck has the cleanest signal to send package deliveryinformation stored by the components on each truck over a wirelessnetwork. The wireless network connects to the central computer thatprocesses the package delivery. The central computer may be at acorporate headquarters associated with the trucks.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary network diagram for connecting trucks in amesh network in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The meshnetwork includes trucks 520. The trucks are equipped with the M2Mcomponent. In turn, at each truck, the M2M component identifies the atleast one truck in the mesh network that is the suitable transmitter forall trucks in the mesh network. That truck receives data, e.g., packagedelivery information, from all other trucks in the mesh network. Inturn, the at least one suitable truck transmits the data to thecorporate headquarters over the wireless network 510 and receivesresponses from the wireless network for the other trucks that areproxied via the mesh network and wireless network.

In summary, an M2M component on the mesh device may allow a mesh deviceto connect to a wireless network based on metrics associated with themesh device and the wireless network. A mesh device identified assuitable proxies communications for other mesh devices in the meshnetwork. Thus, at least one suitable mesh device is utilized to transmitdata from the other mesh devices to the wireless network.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been describedwith the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after andbecause of reading it. Alternative means of implementing theaforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of theclaims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility andmay be employed without reference to other features and subcombinationsand are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

The technology claimed is:
 1. A communication system for connecting M2Mcomponents installed in cargo devices, the system comprising: a hardwarecontroller to store a database of metrics for each of the cargo devices,wherein the hardware controller identifies one or more cargo devices ofthe cargo devices that are suitable to communicate data for each of thecargo devices; and two or more cargo devices having short-range channelinterfaces and long-range interfaces, wherein the two or more cargodevices form a mesh network over the short-range channel interfaces,calculate metrics that are communicated to the hardware controller, andreceive, from said hardware controller, identities of the one or morecargo devices that are suitable for communicating to the hardwarecontroller over the long-range interfaces such that the identified oneor more cargo devices receives logistic information from all other cargodevices in the mesh network for transmission to the hardware controller.2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one cargo device is areceiver for each of the cargo devices in the mesh network and the atleast one cargo device receives data from the hardware controller overthe long-range interfaces for each of the two or more cargo devices. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein at least one cargo device is atransmitter for the mesh network and the at least one cargo devicetransmits data from each cargo device over the long-range interfaces tothe hardware controller.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the receiverand transmitter are a same cargo device.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the metrics include any combination of: signal strength,interference, location, antennae direction, temperature, and power. 6.The system of claim 2, wherein the metrics are stored by each cargodevice of the cargo devices.
 7. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising: providing a network identifier from a first cargo device inthe mesh network to a selected suitable cargo device over the meshnetwork when the selected suitable cargo device replaces the first cargodevice as the suitable cargo device.
 8. The system of claim 2, whereineach cargo device in the mesh network has a database that stores themetrics for all cargo devices in the mesh network and at least one cargodevice is selected as a suitable cargo device.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the suitable one or more cargo devices is determined dynamicallyeach time the cargo devices attempt to transmit data over the long-rangeinterfaces.
 10. The system of claim 2, wherein the suitable one or morecargo devices provide logistic information for each cargo device in themesh network.
 11. The system of claim 2, wherein unsuitable cargodevices in the mesh network are prohibited from transmitting data overthe long-range interfaces.
 12. A computer implemented method ofconnecting a cargo device to a long-range interface, the methodcomprising: establishing, by cargo devices, a mesh network overshort-range channel interfaces; calculating, by the cargo devices,metrics that are communicated to a hardware controller; and receiving,by the cargo devices, identities of one or more cargo devices that aresuitable for communicating to the hardware controller over long-rangeinterfaces such that the identified one or more cargo devices receivelogistic information from all other cargo devices in the mesh networkfor transmission to the hardware controller.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the metrics include any combination of: signal strength,interference, location, antennae direction, temperature, and power. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the metrics are stored by each cargodevice of the cargo devices.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: providing a network identifier from a first cargo device inthe mesh network to a selected suitable cargo device over the meshnetwork when the selected suitable cargo device replaces the first cargodevice as the suitable cargo device.
 16. The method of claim 13, whereineach cargo device in a mesh network has a database that stores themetrics for all cargo devices in the mesh network.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein at least one cargo device is selected as the suitableone or more cargo devices.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thesuitable one or more cargo devices is determined dynamically each timethe cargo devices attempt to transmit data over the long-rangeinterfaces.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one cargodevice selected as suitable operates as a proxy for each cargo device inthe mesh network that attempts to connect over the long-rangeinterfaces.
 20. One or more non-transitory computer-storage mediastoring computer-usable instruction for performing a computerimplemented method of connecting a mesh device to a wireless network,the method comprising: establishing, by cargo devices, a mesh networkover short-range channel interfaces; calculating, by the cargo devices,metrics that are communicated to a hardware controller; and receiving,by the cargo devices, identities of one or more cargo devices that aresuitable For communicating to the hardware controller over one or morelong-range interfaces such that the identified one or more cargo devicesreceive logistic information from all other cargo devices in the meshnetwork for transmission to the hardware controller.